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Got the Winter Blues? Sleeping Poorly?
There is a safe and effective answer! One out of every five people is affected by depression at some time in his or her life - and most feel “down” at some point. 50 percent of adults at any given time meet the criteria for at least
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one of fourteen serious psychiatric illnesses, and seniors have an even higher incidence of these problems. All this evidence points to increasing rates of depression for people of all ages.
Add to all this the profound effects of lack of sunlight that northern latitudes experience in the winter months, and you can understand that many of us carry a burden of sadness, especially at this time of year.
St. John's Wort is a powerful, safe, and effective herb with a broad range of positive effects on the body. It has been used by doctors and herbalists for centuries. A traditional oil extract of the herb has extraordinary healing properties. Can this natural and inexpensive supplement actually relieve depression, help seasonal affective disorder, and re-establish good sleep patterns? Yes, it can says Dr. Hyla Cass, M.D., in her excellent book, “St. John's Wort, Nature's Blues Buster”, available in the Goodness Me! book department. St. John's Wort has a calming, antidepressant and sleep-inducing effect. This herb has also proven successful in relieving nervous conditions, and benefits children who are bed-wetters and/or afraid of the dark.
The word depression is often used when we are feeling down; however, there is a difference between “feeling depressed” or blue and a clinical diagnosis of depression, which can totally absorb the mind and body, affecting how one feels about oneself and the world. While St. John's Wort would not be a remedy for severe depression nor should it be taken with any MAO inhibitor anti-depression medications, it is very beneficial for mild to moderate depression. Many have been successfully treated with St. John's Wort and other natural approaches without having to sacrifice quality of life or risk the side effects of medications. St. John's Wort is one of the herbal medicines most prescribed by German medical doctors. As herbalist Dr. Terry Willard so aptly states, “St. John's Wort brings light into dark places”. Add to that important nutrients: B Complex, Sublingual B12, Vitamin C, and Essential Fatty Acids, along with a diet rich in vegetables, nuts and seeds, lean proteins, and minerals, and low in sugar, and you will be on your way.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may be troubling - or it may be debilitating. Many folks are profoundly affected by the lack of sunlight that the shorter days of winter bring. These affect our circadian (daily) rhythm and our neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain that help regulate sleep, mood, and appetite). This lack of sunlight triggers biochemical changes in the brain, especially in melatonin and serotonin, and leads to symptoms such as depression, impaired concentration, fatigue, low libido, and carbohydrate cravings. St. John's Wort can be used to treat SAD, along with maximizing exposure to sunlight with outdoor activities in mid-day, or with full spectrum light bulbs or light box therapy for added benefits.
Sleep problems can be frustrating, but also can impair our ability to function optimally. Traditionally extracted St. John Wort oil contains some of the highest levels of plant-based melatonin yet identified in any plant studied, and so can be used to combat insomnia without any side effect. (However, do not take it with anti-depression drugs.) It is safe, and has a broad range of positive effects on depression and SAD, as well as its anti-viral benefits and its calming effects. As well, sleep in a dark room, do not turn on more than a night light when you get up to the bathroom in the night, and aim to go to bed before you get a “second wind” in the evening. Lowering or eliminating caffeine may also be of benefit.
Through the years, St. John's Wort oil has satisfied many doctors and their patients. Flora is proud to offer this unique oil, made in the traditional way.
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